Social Media

Skype Launches More Mobile Tools: Cell Phone Killer?

Skype is at CES today as well, releasing a slew of new mobile devices so you can take your calls on the go. From Skype:

* 3 Skypephone – Introduced together with mobile operator 3, this new affordable mass market 3G wireless handset lets users make Skype-to-Skype calls and send Skype instant messages from their mobile phone to other Skype users no matter where they are. The 3 Skypephone is available in the UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden, and will soon be available in Hong Kong. * Freetalk® Wireless Stereo Headset – This new Wireless Stereo Headset, enabled by the new AvneraAudio™ technology, delivers CD-quality sound and the freedom of hands-free Skype calls at any time. It offers superior range (up to 20 meters) compared to technologies such as Bluetooth, freeing you from your desk to make and receive the full range of Skype calls while moving throughout your home or office. * Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices – Mobile users will be able to make Skype voice and video calls and send instant messages on the move, while harnessing the PC-like performance of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) based on Intel low-power processors and chipsets. This new category of small, truly mobile consumer devices with WiMAX and WiFi capabilities will enable free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and cheap SkypeOut calls to be made on open wireless networks. * Nokia N810 Internet Tablet – The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is a sleek, pocket-sized WiFi device with a slide-out keyboard which frees Skype users from their desktop, allowing Skype-to-Skype conversations and SkypeOut calls to take place in any WiFi connection, including thousands of Boingo Wireless and Earthlink WiFi hotspot locations. * mylo™ Communicator – Skype comes pre-installed on Sony’s mylo personal communicator, COM-2, so users can call or instant message any other Skype user all over the world for free over an open WiFi connection. Users of the mylo can also make cheap SkypeOut calls and receive SkypeIn calls. * PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000 series) – With a simple system software update slated for late January, PSP users worldwide will be able to make free voice calls to other Skype users, see which friends are online and available to talk, and – with the purchase of Skype Credit – make cheap SkypeOut calls and receive SkypeIn calls.

If you're at CES then you might be lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the new devices. As Skype has been making moves towards a more integrated mobile service, most of the implementation has been in Europe, where existing support for devices is up to par for supporting Skype's new initiatives. Checking out the above list, most of the devices are pretty specific to various functions. But some in particular, including the Intel-based Mobile Internet device, are bringing a more well-rounded approach to the mobile Skype experience, throwing instant messaging and video into the mix.

So what's more important for you? Mobile Skype or integrated Skype within your various networks? While the two-pronged approach is all but necessary, the mobile Skype is much more intriguing to me, especially as other tools become involved for mobile communication. Will it actually become a cell phone killer one day?

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